Now this really is breaking news; there's not even a nasty 'gate' suffix attached to it yet. This morning Mitsubishi has admitted that it provided false fuel economy figures for some vehicles sold in Japan, including those produced for Nissan.
How has it done this? A fancy defeat device? An elaborate system of deceit and blackmail? Erm, no. According to the BBC, Mitsubishi falsified tyre pressure figures to "flatter mileage rates." So is that just massively overinflating tyres for the least rolling resistance? It's a little vague at the moment, but Autocar has an additional quote from Mitsubishi saying that "the testing method was also different from the one required by Japanese law."
This is a big issue too, initial estimates suggesting that more than 600,000 cars have been affected. These are models sold only in Asia though, and if you know them already then many PH geek points to you! They are the Mitsubishi eK Wagon and eK Space, plus the Nissan Dayz and Dayz Roox. All are Kei cars, with around 468,000 vehicles produced for Nissan and 157,000 of Mitsubishi's own cars involved.
Production of all four cars has been stopped and Nissan has advised its dealers to cease selling the Dayz and Dayz Roox models that they already have. The investigation will now move to cars sold overseas and how far reaching the issue is. Another can of worms opened? Hmm. There has been no comment from Mitsubishi UK yet.
Mitsubishi shares have fallen 15 per cent also, reflecting how serious an issue this is perceived to be. Updates to follow as we have them!
Unsurprisingly PHers are already on this news. Have your say here.